Methadone Maintaince

[rhifallon]

I feel like methadone maintance is the best thing for me right now. I had a serois oxycotin problem that just about destroyed my life. Ive sold everything that ever ment anything to me, racked up huge amounts of debt, got into trouble with the police for theft and drug possesion and just about lost my boyfriend of 8 yrs because of the stuff i would do while i was high. not to mention my lack of parenting while i was high. I have now been going to a methadone clinic for 5 mos...i just was able to buy my camera back that i lost in hawk, along with paying my first payment towards my debit, ive gained 20 pds from eating again, and my court stuff is all taken care of now. my boyfriend and i get along great now too...he sees all the changes...so do i...but my family doesnt. my dad, my mom, my twin...they all think methadone is the worst thing ever! they cant see any or care to admit that they see any change in me. my oldest son even commented on me being "smiley" lately...my kids do not know about my drug problem...or i hope they dont..they are 4 and 9....my mom treatend to call family servies...although i k now they wouldnt take my kids away for going to the clinic.....my dad doesnt talk to me harldy at all even tho he had a seroius pill problem that he kicked...he did it without methadone but im not him...methadone has been around since the 70's...it is there and it works so why cant my family accept that and see that ive changed, that im getting my life back together....i dont know how to respond, react, think about all the neg stuff they say to me...why cant they see the changes in me?? isnt in my choice to be on methadone and if its working why cant they see that? i have no support besides my boyfriend....i get really depressed about it so i just need some support and advice i gues.....

[feohmoon]

Please do not go just yet...there is a lot of support and encouragement here.  I have been in your shoes (with the oxy's and the methadone clinic) and I understand completely where you are coming from.
One thing I feel comfortable about is how long methadone has been around (since the 40's) - although I am not an advocate, I realize how much it helps with structure and with cravings.  You are getting your life together so that is definately a good thing.  My fiance and I were on methadone for 11 months - anything less than 2 years is considered short-term maintenance - but it was still rough detoxing so just be sure to allow yourself time to taper slowly so it will be easier once you are ready to detox.  Another thing that is awesome is that you are getting counseling which we can all use, so just use your time on methadone to work on you and on getting things where you need them.  You can do this and you can get past this to live a life free of drugs...we all can.  Anytime you need to talk or vent...I am here alot.
I wish you the best of luck, this place really can help so much - I hope you will decide to stay.  
This addiction is an ongoing battle but we can help each other through it.
Peace

[rhifallon]

i hope so....if i wanted to hear crap about methadone, all i need to do is call my family....i searched the internet for support for being on methadone.....i thought i found that here but im beginning to think i cut my search short......

[gnarly_1]

HI your post is welcome and so are you...I ment to say now the advise instead I said no a simple typo....we fully support people involved in methadone and sub programs I know methadone saves lives...it also keep people from wrecking theirs.. you just need to know the facts about it ....I was on 150ml and was on it for years tapering off methadone is not comfortable to do...you go in and out of withdrawals along the way...then once your off it takes a good 90 days to start to feel well again.....I have helped several people off this is very typical of methadone withdrawal dont fool yourself...you sound like your working the program the right way....get all the help you need ...all im saying is try to keep your time on it as short as possible it makes it ezer to get off of...I wish you all the best as far as getting your family to understand it really hard if there not addicts do what you got to do for your own recovery we will be as supportive as we can good luck with your whole situation keep posting you will find support here.......Gnarly  .

[rhifallon]

i go to counseling once a week along with two groups..it wasnt quite enuff so i got online for an online support group and found this....im also going to start going to coffee with three girls from the clinic every tuesday so that we can all talk about things in a supportive atmosphere.....i honestly do not think that im in a fog...i feel like i got out of the fog that oxys put me in....but maybe i will c what u mean when i get off methadone....i see the clinic as a stepping stone...my life was a mess, im emotionally and mentally a mess...so how am i supposed to expect myself to stay sober while trying to fix everything else so that i dont use again? thats why i think the clinic is good for me. im getting help i need while not using oxy so that i am strong enuff one day to get off methadone...and im going to taper...not do it cold turky...thats freaking stupid to do it that way....and they can taper you so that you are comfortable to im not going to let everyone scare me about how horrible the methatdone withdrawals are because you can taper off methadone in a manner that you can handle...

also, im not sure what you ment by "no the advice part" does that mean that i cant get advice on how to deal with my family and their negativitly because thats what i was asking for...i dont need advice on going to the clinic because im already there and i know its working and its what i need and thats all that matters....i came to this website looking for support and also advice on how to respond to the negativty that goes along with a methadone clinic...but maybe this isnt the site to get advice for that from? im part of the methadone forum so is that where i should have posted my post?

[gnarly_1]

HI.....as a general rule we support all forms of trying t yourself clean...methadone and sub included ...no the advise part....I spent 6 1/2 yrs on methadone you havent been on it that long to really start to see the side effect it has....methadone dosent get you ''high'' persay
but it does leave you in a quite fog that you dont relize wile your on it...thats what your family is seeing....once you go off it you will notice what im talking about....now if it means your going to go back to oxy then by all means stay on it...use the time your addiction is on hold to work with N/A or A/A or a conslor to build up your foundation so when it is time to get off your strong enough to stand on your own 2 feet.....I always recommend you only stay on it as short of time as possible the longer your on it the harder the withdrawals and methadone has the worst withdrawals of all the narcotics so try to cut you losses by getting off soon.....we will be here to help you when your ready to come off it....use the program wisely ...good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[rhifallon]

thanxs for the post....i feel like ive got more structure since bein at the clinic...im not out doing whatever i can everyday to make money to get my oxy.....im not withdrawling every few dys cuz i cant get anything...i feel more stable but i doubt myself when i hear what my fam has to say and that they dont even c my changes....ive also learned that im co dependant on others for my happiness so i need to work on that too....

[sky_is_the_limit]

I understand where you are coming from. When I went to Methadone maintanence the drug actually helped structure my life. My counselor told me that structure was the key to a succesful program. I know it took my sex drive and emotions but overall it really helped me out of the rut that I was in. Good luck with your addiction and I hope you continue to recover. We must learn crawl before we can walk. Good luck with your family too I know that must be hard. Keep your head up and I am here to support you.

                                                                  sky_is_the_limit